Psychosocial Determinants of Adherence to Preventive Dental Attendance for Preschool Children among Filipino Immigrants in Edmonton
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Abstract
Abstract Objectives: To explore how immigrant parents in Edmonton’s Filipino community experience the phenomenon of adherence to preventive dental attendance (PDA) for their preschool children and what psychosocial factors influence parental adherence to preventive dental attendance for their children. Methods: We employed a qualitative focused ethnography design in this study, using an interview guide inspired by the Theory of Planned Behaviour. We collected data from six individual and two focus group interviews, recording and transcribing the interviews verbatim, and performing concurrent thematic analysis of the data. Results: A long-lasting history of socio-economic inequalities in a relatively deprived home-country with several structural barriers shaped Filipino parents’ attitude and perceptions about their children’s dental needs. As a result, taking children for regular dental visits was a low priority for these parents. However, Filipinos positively embraced new norms regarding oral health of children and the social demand of living in a first-world country and exposure to new knowledge about the importance of PDA after migration to Canada changed their perceptions of care-seeking in favour of adherence to regular dental visits for their young children. Community activities and religious practices and gatherings seemed to have a major role in supporting Filipino newcomers in the host country. Conclusions: Filipino parents found to be comparably open to Western model of preventive care and acculturation had a key role in promoting regular dental visits for young children. Religious and community centers were the two main sources of social support for Filipinos after migration. Therefore, involving religious and Filipino community organizations in development and implementation of oral health promotion initiatives may improve parents’ engagement and uptake of the program.